Chuck Carree - Miller's labor efforts no help to all old-timers

Published: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 6:46 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 6:46 p.m.

When the late and influential Marvin Miller organized the Major League Baseball Players Union in 1966, Bill Harris left UNCW as a junior infielder and signed with the Cleveland Indians as a 27th-round draft pick.

In 1968, the same year Harris debuted in the big leagues, Miller completed baseball's first collective bargaining agreement.

"I lived the dream of every little boy,'' Harris said Wednesday morning. "I still have no regrets.''

But by the time the union, which Miller presided over for 16 years through five labor squabbles, ushered in sports free agency, Harris' career ended following the 1972 players' strike.

With annual salaries of $15,000 and $16,000 and less than two years of accrued service, Harris acknowledged Miller's immense contributions, but never reaped the benefits of his work.

"I came along at the wrong time,'' Harris said.

Now $3.4 million is the average major league salary, with $480,000 the minimum. Forty-five years ago, the average salary was $10,000 with a minimum of $6,000.

Not only have contracts risen, but the union revised the vesting requirements in 1980, following a short strike. It meant players immediately qualified for health insurance after only one day and started accumulating credit toward a pension after just 43 days.

Forty three days can also guarantee a player $34,000 in annual pension at age 62.

When Harris broke in, you needed four years of major-league service to qualify for a full annuity and medical benefits.

Now, at age 69, he is among approximately 750 veterans who played from 1947-74 but don't receive full health benefits.

Instead, Harris receives a $2,500 annual annuity and clears about $2,000 after federal income taxes. But once the current CBA expires, there are no guarantees the small amounts will continue.

Four years ago, Hall of Fame players Brooks Robinson and Robin Yount led the charge to take up the cause of players such as Harris.

Douglas Gladstone also authored a book, A Bitter Cup of Coffee, focusing on old players being denied pensions.

"We just want them to grandfather in us who played before 1979,'' Harris said.

As a player, Harris worked in the offseason to make ends meet, first as a substitute physical education teacher and then as an ABC store clerk, and maintain homes in Wilmington and his assigned city during the season.

And although he was never part of the NFL Players Association, Miller's influence spread to other sports, says retired local football player Reggie Singletary.

Miller died on Nov. 27 at age 95.

"When you can do that across any major professional sport, you bring to life the value of the individual in that sport," Singletary said. "The owners made millions of dollars for years. But you never knew a team's true value. Once the books are open and you can see what the team is worth and calculate the value of the player to the team or franchise.''

Staff writer Chuck Carree can be reached at 343-2262 or Chuck. Carree@StarNewsOnline.com.

<p>When the late and influential Marvin Miller organized the Major League Baseball Players Union in 1966, Bill Harris left <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic71"><b>UNCW</b></a> as a junior infielder and signed with the Cleveland Indians as a 27th-round draft pick.</p><p>In 1968, the same year Harris debuted in the big leagues, Miller completed baseball's first collective bargaining agreement. </p><p>"I lived the dream of every little boy,'' Harris said Wednesday morning. "I still have no regrets.''</p><p>But by the time the union, which Miller presided over for 16 years through five labor squabbles, ushered in sports free agency, Harris' career ended following the 1972 players' strike.</p><p>With annual salaries of $15,000 and $16,000 and less than two years of accrued service, Harris acknowledged Miller's immense contributions, but never reaped the benefits of his work.</p><p>"I came along at the wrong time,'' Harris said.</p><p>Now $3.4 million is the average major league salary, with $480,000 the minimum. Forty-five years ago, the average salary was $10,000 with a minimum of $6,000.</p><p>Not only have contracts risen, but the union revised the vesting requirements in 1980, following a short strike. It meant players immediately qualified for health insurance after only one day and started accumulating credit toward a pension after just 43 days.</p><p>Forty three days can also guarantee a player $34,000 in annual pension at age 62. </p><p>When Harris broke in, you needed four years of major-league service to qualify for a full annuity and medical benefits.</p><p>Now, at age 69, he is among approximately 750 veterans who played from 1947-74 but don't receive full health benefits. </p><p>Instead, Harris receives a $2,500 annual annuity and clears about $2,000 after federal income taxes. But once the current CBA expires, there are no guarantees the small amounts will continue.</p><p>Four years ago, Hall of Fame players Brooks Robinson and Robin Yount led the charge to take up the cause of players such as Harris.</p><p>Douglas Gladstone also authored a book, A Bitter Cup of Coffee, focusing on old players being denied pensions.</p><p>"We just want them to grandfather in us who played before 1979,'' Harris said.</p><p>As a player, Harris worked in the offseason to make ends meet, first as a substitute physical education teacher and then as an ABC store clerk, and maintain homes in Wilmington and his assigned city during the season.</p><p>And although he was never part of the NFL Players Association, Miller's influence spread to other sports, says retired local football player Reggie Singletary.</p><p>Miller died on Nov. 27 at age 95.</p><p>"When you can do that across any major professional sport, you bring to life the value of the individual in that sport," Singletary said. "The owners made millions of dollars for years. But you never knew a team's true value. Once the books are open and you can see what the team is worth and calculate the value of the player to the team or franchise.''</p><p>Staff writer <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic16"><b>Chuck Carree</b></a> can be reached at 343-2262 or Chuck. Carree@StarNewsOnline.com.</p>